The United States stands on the brink of history with the nomination of its first female presidential candidate, Hillary Clinton. Paradoxically, electing a woman president for the US will not advance women's rights around the globe.
This is because Clinton will immediately feel the need to demonstrate her power in a world that operates by traditionally male-dominated statecraft.
That world will not allow her to redefine the US' national interests, and consequently its foreign policy, in a way that will truly empower the world's women, particularly in Muslim countries where safety and security is needed the most. [...]
In reality, the world's power structures continue to operate under RW Connell's concept of "hegemonic masculinity", so women find it hard to ascend the male hierarchy in international relations unless they are willing to espouse the militarism that it favors.
A woman leader favouring peacemaking and diplomacy over war and conflict could be labelled as weak because of her gender, rather than a legitimate part of her leadership capabilities, policies and choices.
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